Cavaliers tune out the Jazz with third quarter avalanche

Cleveland Cavaliers poured it on in the third period

The Cleveland Cavaliers have strung together their first winning streak in over three weeks after blowing out the Utah Jazz on the road, 111-91. It had been a fairly close game until the Cavs overwhelmed the host team in the third period.

Lamar Stevens once again went on a tear for Cleveland as he continued to start in place of the injured Isaac Okoro, scoring a career-high 23 points to go with seven rebounds, most coming in an incredible second-half showing.

After barely outlasting the Sacramento Kings in their previous assignment, the Cavaliers came out of the halftime break ready to put this one away. They led by as much as 25 following a third-quarter avalanche that saw them mount a blistering 21-0 run.

Lauri Markkanen shook off his recent shooting slump by hitting 80 percent from deep and finished with 20 markers, while fellow Tower City bigs Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen added a combined 27 in the win.

On the other hand, Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 22 points, while two-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell added 17 as they dropped four consecutive games.

Things are looking up for the Cavs

The most impressive Cavalier feat tonight, however, had been Darius Garland’s. Despite struggling to hit his shots, the rising star notched his first-ever NBA triple-double with 11 points, 10 boards, and a career-best 15 assists to help lead Cleveland to march unto the blowout.

To supplement all five Cavaliers starters who finished in double-figures, Kevin Love also scored 16 points off the bench and continues to make a running for the NBA’s Sixth Man award contention.

The Cavs completely dominated the interior with lopsided splits on both rebounds and paint points, establishing their supremacy while taking advantage of the absence of Utah’s three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.

Having already surpassed last season’s win total just halfway through the season, the Cavs carry on with their pursuit for a playoff berth, holding steady in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a 24-18 record.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have two final stops in the West Coast rodeo, facing off against the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder on the 14th and 15th, respectively.